Magnetic Evolution and the Disappearance of Sun-Like Activity Cycles

After decades of effort, the solar activity cycle is exceptionally well characterized, but it remains poorly understood. Pioneering work at the Mount Wilson Observatory demonstrated that other Sun-like stars also show regular activity cycles, and suggested two possible relationships between the rotation rate and the length of the cycle. Neither of these relationships correctly describes the properties of the Sun, a peculiarity that demands explanation. Recent discoveries have started to shed light on this issue, suggesting that the Sun’s rotation rate and magnetic field are currently in a transitional phase that occurs in all middle-aged stars. Motivated by these developments, we identify the manifestation of this magnetic transition in the best available data on stellar cycles. We propose a reinterpretation of previously published observations to suggest that the solar cycle may be growing longer on stellar evolutionary timescales, and that the cycle might disappear sometime in the next 0.8?–?2.4 Gyr. Future tests of this hypothesis will come from ground-based activity monitoring of Kepler targets that span the magnetic transition, and from asteroseismology with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission to determine precise masses and ages for bright stars with known cycles.     

Variations in surface activity of the sun and solar-type stars

Twenty-five-year records of relative Caii H and K emission fluxes of lower Main-Sequence stars have been measured at Mount Wilson Observatory and reveal surface activity in most of the older G- and K-type dwarf stars that is similar to the aperiodical activity cycle of the contemporary Sun (i.e., the cyclic and the occasional episode of reduced activity in the past few centuries). We find an inverse relationship between the amplitude of the activity cycle and the length of the cycle for the ensemble of those solar-type stars. We also find a similar relationship using the 250-year sunspot record (Cycles 1 to 21). The similarity between the two inverse relationships for the solar-type stars observed for 25 years and the Sun for a longer interval of time may suggest one common underlying physical mechanism that is responsible for the variations in surface activity ranging from decades to centuries.Also at Center for Excellence in Information Systems at Tennessee State University.     

Stellar analogs of solar magnetic activity

The techniques and principal results of observational studies of stellar activity are summarized. Both chromospheric and coronal emission clearly track surface magnetic field properties, but it is not well known how the detailed relation between the emission and surface magnetic fields varies with spectral type. For lower Main-Sequence stars of the same spectral type, there is clear evidence of a close relationship between mean activity level and rotation period P _rot. There is also less definitive evidence for a similar dependence on convective overturn time _c , such that activity depends on the single parameter Ro = P _rot/ _c . For single stars, stellar rotation, and magnetic activity both decline smoothly with age. This implies a feedback between angular momentum loss rate and activity level. Temporal variations in mean stellar activity level mimic the solar cycle only for old stars like the Sun, being much more irregular for younger stars. The characteristic timescale of the variations (the cycle period) appears to depend on Ro for old stars, but shows no clear dependence on either rotation rate or spectral type for younger stars. Further data on mean activity and its variation for a large number of lower Main-Sequence stars should contribute significantly to our understanding of the causes of stellar magnetic activity.     

Mass loss from solar-type stars

Winds are directly detected from solar-type stars only when they are very young. At ages 10⁶ yr, these stars have mass loss rates 10⁶ times the mass flux of the present solar wind. Although these young T Tauri stars exhibit ultraviolet transition-region and X-ray coronal emission, the large particle densities of the massive winds lead to efficient radiative cooling, and wind temperatures are only 10⁴ K. In these circumstances thermal acceleration is unlikely to play an important role in driving the mass loss. Turbulent energy fluxes may be responsible for the observed mass loss, particularly if substantial magnetic fields are present.The presence of stellar mass loss is indirectly shown by the spindown of low-mass stars as they age. It appears that many solar-mass stars spin up as they contract toward the Main-Sequence, reaching a maximum equatorial velocity of 50 to 100 km s^–1. These stars spin down rapidly upon reaching the Main Sequence. Spindown may be enhanced by a decoupling or lag between convective envelope and radiative core. Because this spindown occurs fairly early in a solar-type star's history, the internal structure of old stars like the Sun may not depend upon initial conditions.     

Stellar irradiance variations due to surface temperature inhomogeneities

Observations of rotational modulation of continuum brightness and photospheric and chromospheric spectral-line profiles of late-type stars indicate the presence of very inhomogeneous surface temperature distributions. We present three stellar examples (VY Ari, HR 7275, HU Vir) where time-series photometry is used to trace the evolution of spotted regions. Simultaneous spectroscopy and Doppler imaging for one of the three stars (HU Virgo, Fig. 1) makes it possible to compute the temperature distribution of the photosphere and the relative intensity distribution of parts of the chromosphere (from CaII K and H line profiles). The combination of time-series spot modeling and Doppler imaging enabled us to determine thesign and amount of differential surface rotation on HU Vir. We found a big, cool polar spot (see figure below) and a differential (surface) rotation law where higher-latitude regions rotate faster than lower-latitude regions (opposite to what we see on the Sun). Currently, this ensemble of techniques - time-series photometry and photospheric and chromospheric Doppler imaging - is only applicable to stars overactive by approximately a factor of 100 as compared to the active Sun, e.g. the evolved components in RS CVn-type binaries and some rapidly-rotating, single, pre-main sequence stars or giant stars. Stellar rotation is a fundamental parameter for (magnetic) activity. Starspots, or any other surface inhomogeneities, allow one to derive very precise stellar rotation rates and, if coupled with seismological observations of solar-type stars, could provide information on the internal angular momentum distribution in overactive late-type stars.To be published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.     

Fourier analysis of spectra of solar-type stars

Fourier transform techniques were used to determine the macroturbulent velocity under the condition that mictoturbulent and stellar rotation velocities are not known. In order to distinguish the effects of rotation from macroturbulence effects in slowly rotating stars, primarily the main lobe of residual Fourier transforms of the observed lines, which were taken from the solar spectrum and the spectra of two other stars, was used. This case of Fourier analysis of spectral lines is the most complicated one. The end results were in a satisfactory agreement with the data obtained using different methods. The average values of microturbulent, macroturbulent, and rotation velocities were 0.85, 2.22, and 1.75 km/s for the Sun as the star; 0.58, 1.73, and 0.78 km/s for HD 10700; and 1.16, 3.56, and 6.24 km/s for HD 1835. It was found that the macroturbulent velocity decreases with height in the atmosphere of the Sun and HD 1835. In the case of HD 10700, the macroturbulent velocity did not change with height, and the determined rotation velocity was two times lower than the one obtained using other methods. It was concluded that Fourier transform techniques are suitable for determining the velocities in atmospheres of solar-type stars with very slow rotation.     

The solar surface differential rotation from disk-integrated chromospheric fluxes

Disk-integrated solar chromospheric Caii K-line (3933.68 ) fluxes have been measured almost daily at Sacramento Peak Observatory since 1977. Using observing windows selected to mimic seasonal windows for chromospheric measurements of lower Main-Sequence stars such as those observed by Mount Wilson Observatory's HK Project, we have measured the solar rotation from the modulation of the Caii K-line flux. We track the change of rotation period from the decline of cycle 21 through the maximum of cycle 22. This variation in rotation period is shown to behave as expected from the migration of active regions in latitude according to Maunder's butterfly diagram, including an abrupt change in rotation period at the transition from cycle 21 to cycle 22. These results indicate the successful detection of solar surface differential rotation from disk-integrated observations. We argue that the success of our study compared to previous investigations of the solar surface differential rotation from disk-integrated fluxes lies primarily with the choice of the length of the time-series window. Our selection of 200 days is shorter than in previous studies whose windows are typically on the order of one year. The 200-day window is long enough to permit an accurate determination of the rotation period, yet short enough to avoid complications arising from active region evolution. Thus, measurements of the variation of rotation period in lower Main-Sequence stars, especially those that appear to be correlated with long-term changes in chromospheric activity (i.e., cycles), are probably evidence for stellar surface differential rotation.     

Oscillations and pulsations in the sun and stars (invited review)

The discovery of the solar global oscillations, and their identification to many radial and nonradial eigenmodes of the Sun, have opened a new important field of research called solar seismology, in which we may probe the internal structure of the Sun by using its oscillations. In recent years, pulsations and oscillation-related phenomena have also been discovered in many stars which were hitherto regarded as non-pulsating stars. They include white dwards (ZZ Ceti-stars), Ap-stars, early-type stars with slow and rapid rotation (53 Per and Oph-stars, respectively). Developments in high spectral and high time-resolution observations will be expected to reveal variability in many other stars as well, in near future.In this review, the general properties of stellar eigenmode oscillations are first discussed. Recent observational and theoretical developments in the solar seismology and on pulsations and oscillations of newly discovered variable stars will then be reviewed.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

Lithium abundances of 21 solar-type stars near the Sun

We present high-resolution spectroscopic observations for a sample of 21 young, solar-type stars near the Sun recently discovered in the X-ray wavelength range during the ROSAT all-sky survey. Based on these observations, we derive the lithium (Li) abundances of these 21 sample stars. Using the lithium abundances and the X-ray luminosity, we investigated the relationship between the Li abundances and the X-ray activity. We found a clear correlation between the lithium abundances and the X-ray luminosity: as the X-ray luminosity became stronger, the lithium abundance decreases in our sample stars. Our sample results provide further evidence that a correlation appears to exist between Li abundances, X-ray activity and age for a large number of solar-type stars. The results also confirm the presence of very active young stars close to the Sun, in agreement with recent findings from UV and X-ray surveys.     

Can the low-Activity sun Become Dimmer at Maximum?

After analysing the ratio of sunspot to facular areas along the cycle for solar cycles 12 to 20 we propose two possibilities. One indicates a non-linear behaviour for low-activity cycles and a closer-to-linear behaviour for high-activity cycles, the other one presents a non-linear behaviour for both low- and high-activity cycles and a closer-to-linear behaviour for moderate-activity cycles. Furthermore, we also find within the cycle that during low-activity cycles the Sun becomes brighter as their magnetic activity level increases while for high-activity cycles the opposite occurs, in agreement with previous studies of solar-type stars; another possibility, however, is that when evolving from minimum to maximum both the low- and high-activity Sun may become fainter while the moderate-activity Sun brightens.     

Night‐time science with large solar telescopes: The magnetic Sun through time

Today the Sun has a regular magnetic cycle driven by a dynamo action. But how did this regular cycle develop? How do basic parameters such as rotation rate, age, and differential rotation affect the generation of magnetic fields? Zeeman Doppler imaging (ZDI) is a technique that uses high‐resolution observations in circularly polarised light to map the surface magnetic topology on stars. Utilising the spectropolarimetric capabilities of future large solar telescopes it will be possible to study the evolution and morphology of the magnetic fields on a range of Sun‐like stars from solar twins through to rapidly‐rotating active young Suns and thus study the solar magnetic dynamo through time. In this article I discuss recent results from ZDI of Sun‐like stars and how we can use night‐time observations from future solar telescopes to solve unanswered questions about the origin and evolution of the Sun's magnetic dynamo (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Basic stellar parameter determination for active cool eclipsing binaries

We examine procedures for the determination of reliable parameter sets characterizing stars in short period eclipsing binary systems of later dwarf, generally sunlike, spectral types. These stars have magnetodynamically active components and form a useful extension to the solar laboratory. Their much more rapid rotation than that of the Sun implies correspondingly enhanced indications of activity-particularly with relatively large maculation effects in broadband data.We concentrate on five such systems, for which we discuss new data and analyses-CG Cyg, ER Vul, YY Gem, BH Vir and UV Psc. Our main aim is to enable more reliable absolute comparisons between the basic properties of such stars and the Sun. Some indications of the ages of these binaries can also provide further pointers to the relative importance of different parameters (e.g. rotation, age, etc.), in determining stellar activity.This article originally appeared as Poster JD12 G42 at the 22nd General Assembly of the IAU, The Hague (van Woerden, 1994).     

Seismic study of stellar convective regions: the base of the convective envelope in low-mass stars

The possibility of observing solar-type oscillations on other stars is of great relevance to investigating the uncertain aspects of the internal structure of stars. One of these aspects is the convective overshoot that takes place at the borders of the envelopes of stars of mass similar to, or lower than, the Sun. It affects the temperature stratification, mixing, rotation and magnetic-field generation. Asteroseismology can provide an observational test for the studies of the structure of such overshoot regions.
The seismic study of the transition in the Sun, located at the base of the convection zone, has been successful in determining the characteristics of this layer in the Sun. In this work we consider the extension of the analysis to other solar-type stars (of mass between 0.85 and 1.2 M_⊙) in order to establish a method for determining the characteristics of their convective envelopes. In particular, we hope to be able to establish seismologically that a star does indeed possess a convective envelope, to measure the size of the convective region and also to constrain the properties of an overshoot layer at the bottom of the envelope. The limitations in terms of observational uncertainties and stellar characteristics, and the detectability of an overshoot layer, are discussed.     

The relationship between solar activity and the H and K line cores in integrated sunlight

In this paper we present and analyze new data on the cores of the H and K lines of ionized calcium in the spectrum of integrated sunlight. The intensities of the components H _2v , H₃, H _2r , K _2v , K₃, and K _2r in the line cores were measured in terms of the continuum intensity at 4000 Å during a solar rotation in September 1969. Other data on these components, obtained at or close to the times of solar minimum (September 1964) and solar maximum (September 1968), were also included. The intensities of these features are compared with two indices of solar activity: the Ca ii plage index and the 2800 MHZ signal. The average correlation coefficients between the intensities of the measured features and those indices were 0.69 and 0.64, respectively. Our results are consistent with those of Bumba and Riková-Topolová (1967) for a solar rotation period in 1965.The method and results should provide a detailed quantitative basis for the study of the activity cycles and rotation periods of solar-type stars.First Weather Wing, Hickman Air Force Base, HI 96824, U.S.A.     

The chemical composition of solar-type stars in comparison with that of the Sun

The question whether the solar chemical composition is typical for solar-type stars is analysed by comparing the Sun with different stellar samples, including a sample of stars with very similar parameters, solar twins. Although typical in terms of overall metallicity for stars of solar age and galactic orbit, the solar atmosphere is found to have abundances, as compared with solar twins, that indicate that its gas has once been affected by dust formation and dust separation. It is concluded that this may be related to the formation of the solar planetary system and its special properties.     

Why the Sun may appear oblate

If the Sun loses angular momentum from its core, due to core contraction, into the solar wind at the observed rate, then an 0.7 day rotational period for the core of the Sun is required for temporal equilibrium. The rotational power released in the core contraction process can equal the observed magnetic energy released in the solar activity cycle if the Sun's core rotates with a period near 1.4 to 4 days. The rotational power released from a rotating object is , where is the torque on the object and is its angular velocity. Fitting this to the solar wind torque and core rotation rate provides an 0.5 to 5 day rotation period for the Sun's core. A gravitational Pannekoek-Rosseland electric field in the Sun makes the Ferraro theorem inapplicable in such a way that rather than a constant angular velocity with radius, an inverse square radial dependence occurs. This results in a two day rotational period for the region in the Sun where most of the angular momentum resides. The consistency of the above four methods suggests that the Sun's observed oblateness is due to a rapidly rotating solar core. The oblateness of the photosphere is estimated to be near 3.4×10^–5.     

Sounding stellar cycles with Kepler – I. Strategy for selecting targets

The long-term monitoring and high photometric precision of the Kepler satellite will provide a unique opportunity to sound the stellar cycles of many solar-type stars using asteroseismology. This can be achieved by studying periodic changes in the amplitudes and frequencies of the oscillation modes observed in these stars. By comparing these measurements with conventional ground-based chromospheric activity indices, we can improve our understanding of the relationship between chromospheric changes and those taking place deep in the interior throughout the stellar activity cycle. In addition, asteroseismic measurements of the convection zone depth and differential rotation may help us determine whether stellar cycles are driven at the top or at the base of the convection zone. In this paper, we analyse the precision that will be possible using Kepler to measure stellar cycles, convection zone depths and differential rotation. Based on this analysis, we describe a strategy for selecting specific targets to be observed by the Kepler Asteroseismic Investigation for the full length of the mission, to optimize their suitability for probing stellar cycles in a wide variety of solar-type stars.     

Solar polar spin-down

An explanation for the solar differential rotation is proposed that makes use of angular momentum transfer in the solar wind and corona. Evidence suggests that for most of the solar cycle, the solar wind is connected by magnetic field lines to high heliographic latitudes on the Sun.Thus the angular momentum lost to the solar wind would present a preferential drag to the photospheric material at high heliographic latitudes. It is shown that this drag is sufficient to offset the restoring forces of the Sun's subsurface magnetic field. In fact, the subsurface magnetic field and differential rotation are thought to grow until the stresses are sufficient to balance the torque induced by the solar wind. The present level of differential rotation and solar activity may be maintained by an intricate feedback mechanism involving the whole solar activity cycle.A power calculation based upon this model suggests the Sun's core rotates with a period of between 0.5 and 5 days. Furthermore, this view requires a major change in present theory of solar magnetic field generation.     

Comparison of UV spectra from solar-type stars

We compare high-resolution spectra from the Sun and the four solar-type stars 16 Cyg A, 16 Cyg B, HD 32008, HD 34411 obtained with IUE in the wavelength range 2650–2930 Å. The comparison is made for peak intensities between absorption lines. At the level of accuracy of the IUE observations, the stars 16 Cyg A, 16 Cyg B, HD 34411 are indistinguishable from the Sun, in particular the Mgii resonance line profiles are identical. HD 32008 is not a solar analog but is evidently of late G to early K spectral type.Based on observations with the International Ultraviolet Explorer collected at the Villafranca Satellite Tracking Station of the European Space Agency.     

Kinematics and age of 15 stars-photometric solar analogs

The radial and space velocities are inferred for 15 stars that are photometric analogs of the Sun. The space velocity components (U, V, W) of most of these stars lie within the 10–60 km/s interval. The star HD 225239, which in our previous papers we classified as a subgiant, has a space velocity exceeding 100 km/s, and belongs to the thick disk. The inferred fundamental parameters of the atmospheres of solar analogs are combined with published evolutionary tracks to estimate the masses and ages of the stars studied. The kinematics of photometric analogs is compared to the data for a large group of solar-type stars.